Key Votes
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About the Selection and Descriptions of Key Votes
Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
- The vote should be clear for any person to understand
- The vote has received media attention
- The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
- Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added
Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.
For more information about the legislative process, see here.
results per page:
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2023 | AK | HB 61 | Limits State Restrictions on Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5) |
| April 7, 2016 | AK | SB 174 | Prohibits the University of Alaska from Regulating Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5) |
| April 7, 2022 | AL | SB 2 | Prohibits Enforcement of Certain Federal Gun Policies | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 5) |
| March 3, 2022 | AL | HB 272 | Authorizes Permitless Carry of Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 6) |
| March 19, 2014 | AL | SB 354 | Authorizes Individuals Without Concealed Carry Licenses to Carry Firearms in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7) |
| April 1, 2021 | AL | SB 308 | Authorizes Residents to Purchase Lifetime Concealed Carry Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6) |
| April 5, 2016 | AL | SB 14 | Authorizes Concealed Handguns in Vehicles without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6) |
| April 11, 2017 | AL | SB 193 | Authorizes Briarwood Presbyterian Church to Form a Police Force | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 4) |
| April 15, 2021 | AL | SB 358 | Prohibits State and Local Governments from Enforcing Any Federal Firearms Act | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
| April 30, 2013 | AL | SB 93 | Prohibits the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 6) |
| April 26, 2021 | AR | SB 298 | Classifies Federal Gun Restrictions as Invalid | Veto Override Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
| April 26, 2021 | AR | SB 573 | Authorizes Concealed Carry in Government Buildings, Parks and Property | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| Feb. 25, 2013 | AR | HB 1243 | Authorizes University Staff to Carry a Concealed Handgun | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
| March 13, 2023 | AR | HB 1307 | Requires the State Divest from Financial Companies that Follow Certain Sociopolitical Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9) |
| Jan. 19, 2021 | AR | SB 24 | Expands "Stand Your Ground" Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Feb. 6, 2013 | AR | SB 131 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9) |
| Jan. 28, 2013 | AR | SB 71 | Authorizes Handguns on Religious Institutions' Properties | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 4) |
| April 26, 2006 | AZ | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency | Veto Override Failed - Senate (19 - 10) |
| June 27, 2008 | AZ | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 5) |
| May 12, 2008 | AZ | HB 2629 | Legalizing the Defensive Display of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7) |
| May 19, 2008 | AZ | HB 2389 | Involving Gun Owners' Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 9) |
| April 23, 2008 | AZ | HB 2630 | Illegally Concealed Weapon Penalty Reduction | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10) |
| June 16, 2009 | AZ | SB 1113 | Handguns in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| April 11, 2006 | AZ | HB 2649 | Firearms; Possession; Storage | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 8) |
| Feb. 20, 2007 | AZ | SB 1251 | Secure Storage of Guns at Public Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 9) |
| March 6, 2006 | AZ | SB 1425 | Prohibition of Confiscation of Firearms During an Emergency. | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 3) |
| April 3, 2008 | AZ | SB 1132 | Allowing Pistols in Restaurants | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10) |
| April 4, 2006 | AZ | HB 2074 | Concealed Weapons; Training Requirement; Renewal | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 7) |
| April 12, 2017 | AZ | HB 2244 | Establishes Reciprocity for Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2339 | Authorizes Individuals with State Issued Gun Permits to Carry in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| April 16, 2014 | AZ | HB 2517 | Establishes Penalties for Violations of an Existing State Firearms Law | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| April 12, 2023 | AZ | HB 2394 | Prohibits Any County or Municipality in Arizona from Enacting New Taxes, Levies or Fees on Firearms or Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| April 16, 2013 | AZ | HB 2455 | Requires the Sale of Certain Firearms Acquired by Public Agencies | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| April 11, 2019 | AZ | HB 2693 | Repeals Requirement that Firearms be Unloaded on School Grounds | Bill Failed - Senate (15 - 14) |
| March 11, 2015 | AZ | SB 1330 | Prohibits State Employees from Enforcing Federal Firearm Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
| April 12, 2012 | AZ | HB 2729 | Authorizes Guns in Certain Public Buildings | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 11) |
| March 29, 2010 | AZ | HB 2307 | Federal Arms Regulation Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
| Feb. 10, 2022 | AZ | SB 1251 | Defines the Classification of Armed Robbery and Deadly Weapons | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 1) |
| March 1, 2023 | AZ | SB 1428 | Prohibits Local Municipalities from Preventing Gun Shows | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 12) |
| Feb. 21, 2023 | AZ | SB 1096 | Prohibits Public Contracts of Over $100K that Do Not Include Firearm Protections | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| March 31, 2024 | AZ | SCR 1007 | Prohibits Discrimination of Certain Firearm Producing Entities | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (16 - 13) |
| March 3, 2016 | AZ | SB 1257 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms in Public Buildings | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| March 3, 2021 | AZ | SB 1382 | Classifies Gun Stores as Essential Businesses | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| Feb. 28, 2017 | AZ | HB 1243 | Authorizes Gun Show Sales Without Background Checks | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 16) |
| March 1, 2017 | AZ | SB 1122 | Authorizes Sale of Firearms without Background Checks | Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14) |
| March 14, 2011 | AZ | SB 1467 | Concealed Weapons on College Campuses | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7) |
| March 8, 2011 | AZ | SB 1610 | Official State Gun | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12) |
| March 3, 2011 | AZ | SB 1201 | Firearms Omnibus | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8) |
| Aug. 19, 2008 | CA | SB 1171 | Expanding Loaded Firearm Restrictions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Aug. 24, 2006 | CA | AB 352 | Microstamping of Bullets Fired from Semi-Automatic Guns | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Sept. 10, 2021 | CA | SB 715 | Extends Restrictions on Gun Control Loopholes by Requiring Verification on Hunting Licenses | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Sept. 12, 2023 | CA | SB 2 | Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 8) |
| Aug. 16, 2022 | CA | SB 1384 | Requires Firearm Dealers to Use Video Surveillance Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Aug. 28, 2014 | CA | SB 199 | Requires Certain Replica Guns to be Sold in Fluorescent Colors | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | SB 374 | Prohibits Semiautomatic Rifles with Detachable Magazines | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
| June 30, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | SB 755 | Expands List of Crimes that Disqualify an Individual from Firearm Ownership | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Sept. 9, 2013 | CA | AB 711 | Prohibits Lead Ammunition for Hunting | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| Aug. 28, 2020 | CA | AB 2847 | Requires Microstamping Within Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| Sept. 7, 2023 | CA | AB 28 | Establishes an 11% Tax on Firearm and Ammunition Purchases in California | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| June 27, 2022 | CA | AB 2239 | Expands the List of People Prohibited from Possessing Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0) |
| June 29, 2022 | CA | AB 2571 | Prohibits Marketing of Firearms to Minors; Authorizes Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| June 27, 2022 | CA | AB 311 | Prohibits the Sale of Firearms in Certain Areas | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| June 29, 2022 | CA | AB 2551 | Establishes Procedures to Notify Law Enforcement About Firearm Violations | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
| Sept. 9, 2021 | CA | AB 173 | Requires the California DOJ to Supply Information to the California Firearm Violence Research Center | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 521 | Authorizes Healthcare Professions be Trained to Reduce Firearm-Related Injuries | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
| Sept. 4, 2019 | CA | AB 61 | Amends Restraining Order Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
| Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 12 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8) |
| Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1669 | Increases Firearm Purchasing Fees | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Aug. 21, 2018 | CA | AB 2103 | Requires Concealed Carry Applicants Complete 8 Hours of Gun Safety Training | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9) |
| June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 1674 | Limits the Purchase of Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 1695 | Prohibits Falsely Reporting the Loss or Theft of a Firearm | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
| May 19, 2016 | CA | AB 1135 | Prohibits Firearms with Bullet Button | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
| Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 48 | Prohibits Large-Capacity Magazines and Large-Capacity Conversion Kits | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
| Aug. 27, 2014 | CA | AB 1014 | Authorizes Gun Violence Restraining Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8) |
| June 27, 2022 | CA | AB 1594 | Authorizes Lawsuits Against Gun Industry | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| June 29, 2022 | CA | AB 1769 | Prohibits the Sale of Firearms by the 31st District Agricultural Association | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Sept. 15, 2017 | CA | AJR 24 | Recommends Congress Refrain from Concealed Carry Reciprocity | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12) |
| June 30, 2016 | CA | AB 2607 | Authorizes Certain Individuals to Request a Gun Violence Restraining Order | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| May 29, 2018 | CA | SB 1100 | Increases the Purchasing Age for Firearms to 21 | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Aug. 12, 2019 | CA | AJR 5 | Urges the Federal Government to Pass Universal Firearm Safety Regulation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| June 29, 2022 | CA | AB 2156 | Establishes New Requirements for Firearm Manufacturer Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9) |
| May 25, 2023 | CA | SB 2 | Amends Penal Code Related to Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
| May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1235 | Requires Background Checks to Buy Ammunition | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
| June 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| May 19, 2016 | CA | SB 1446 | Prohibits the Possession of High-Capacity Gun Magazines | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
| May 29, 2013 | CA | SB 53 | Requires Ammunition Purchasers to Undergo a Background Check | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
| April 18, 2022 | CA | SB 918 | Increases the Fee on Eligibility Checks for Precursor Firearm Parts and Ammunition Sales | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | SB 172 | Amends Firearm Storage Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| May 24, 2022 | CA | SB 1327 | Authorizes Individuals to Sue Firearm Manufacturers | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| May 23, 2019 | CA | SB 55 | Expands List of Persons Prohibited from Owning Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
| May 22, 2019 | CA | SB 61 | Prohibits Purchasing More than One Gun per Month | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
| Sept. 6, 2023 | CA | SJR 7 | Establishes Various State Gun Control Measures | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| Feb. 23, 2007 | CO | SB 34 | Concealed Weapons Permits | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 15, 2013 | CO | HB 1229 | Requires Background Checks for Private Gun Sales and Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 14) |
| March 28, 2019 | CO | HB 19-1177 | Establishes Extreme Risk Protection Orders | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| April 22, 2024 | CO | HB 24-1348 | Requires Firearms be Kept in Lock Boxes when in Vehicles | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| March 11, 2013 | CO | HB 1224 | Limits Firearm Magazine Capacity | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| March 11, 2013 | CO | HB 1228 | Establishes a Background Check Fee | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| April 22, 2024 | CO | HB 24-1174 | Increases Requirements for Individuals Seeking to Obtain a Concealed-Carry Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |